Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Oval intaglio with a fly or another flying insect with detailed eyes and wings, and two pairs of legs. 0.50 grams, 11 mm



From the estate of a late collector, Woodbury, Connecticut, USA. From a private collection acquired in 2006.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 34.2 grams total, 15-23 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.

An oval brooch with raised rim and bezel with inserted conical black stone, pin and catchplate to the reverse. 7.04 grams, 23.1 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

With domed body and central boss, lateral lugs to rim (two pierced); surface divided into cloisonné cells to accept enamel ornament; remains of catch to reverse. 24.13 grams, 39 mm



Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Vase fragment with everted rim and bands of rouletting, low-relief leaping hound between scrolled tendrils. 27.56 grams, 11.1 cm



Found Colchester, UK, in the late 1950s. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Composed of oblate, annular, barrel-shaped, and other beads with a discoid pendant bead, restrung. 9.75 grams, 33 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Discoid in plan with low sidewall and flared foot; old collector's ticket: 'Small Roman bowl in coarse ware, imitation of Drag. 38 i.e. hemispherical bowl with high rim and curved overhanging flange. Found in Hertfordshire, (Welwyn?) c. 1956.' 120 grams, 83 mm wide



Found in Hertfordshire, circa 1956. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten identification card written by Peter Clayton.

Comprising: a broad flat-section tongue-shaped panel with incised linear detailing and punched-points, rows of domed rivets, openwork slots and other shapes; a hole at the apex with strap junction, small attachment panel to reverse; rectangular end-plate similarly decorated with articulating slots to one edge to accept a securing pin. 100 grams total, 9-14 cm



Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK

The strap harness, probably destined for the muzzle of the horse, or maybe part of a belt, belongs to forms of fittings for straps and belts of the Roman era found in the Danish bogs. Almost all feature attachments on the reverse side to secure the strap. Some bronze examples were decorated, on the front, with mosaic and enamel, inserted in the openwork perforations. These elements, judging by their form and craftsmanship, are of Romano-barbaric origin.

Comprising: a transparent agate intaglio with a profile bust; a banded agate intaglio with a kneeling figure; an agate cameo with a female head; a red jasper intaglio with a putto; an oval thick intaglio with a profile female bust. 2.85 grams total, 9-13 mm



UK private collection assembled 1970s-90s, and thence to the liquidated state of above.

Conical body with vertical lines to the outer face, flat discoid base and slightly chamfered rim. 345 grams, 11.2 cm



Ex old English collection. From the estate of a late Bristol, South West England, collector.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 31.1 grams total, 12-21 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.

Comprising: a banded glass intaglio with a lion attacking a bull; a mottled blue intaglio with a profile bust; a carnelian intaglio with a profile bust; a rectangular cameo with the head of a putto; a carnelian cameo of a putto. 2.45 grams total, 8-13 mm



UK private collection assembled 1970s-90s, and thence to the liquidated state of above.